The Florida Panthers have reached the Stanley Cup Final for the third consecutive season, placing Sunrise at the heart of the hockey world. Despite some debate surrounding the team`s perceived benefits or the absence of a major US hockey market in the final, the Panthers` achievements, both in performance and growth, are ultimately beneficial for the sport`s future.
For nearly 23 years, from 1997 to 2020, the Panthers consistently ranked in the lower half or bottom of the NHL standings. Frankly, they were largely overlooked in a region where hockey was a minor sport, not a central attraction.
This situation has dramatically improved in recent years. Under General Manager Bill Zito`s leadership, the Panthers have become a consistent championship threat, aiming for a second consecutive Stanley Cup. Fan attendance has increased, and widespread community interest in the team and the sport has seen remarkable growth.
Contrary to some online speculation, the Panthers` success isn`t primarily due to tax breaks or favorable weather. Instead, the team has excelled in building its roster effectively and has invested significant effort into establishing a strong, lasting presence for hockey within the local community.
The notion of a “Sun Belt problem,” often cited somewhat mockingly, lacks real basis. The Panthers represent a significant success story for both the NHL and hockey overall, a triumph not attributable to state tax policies.
Smart and Bold Roster Construction
Finding weaknesses in the current Panthers roster is challenging, largely because the team has executed several strategies exceptionally well. They`ve made successful high draft selections, identified undervalued players, and actively pursued top talent available via trade.
While selecting successful first-round picks might seem straightforward, teams frequently miss the mark. Although the Panthers aren`t immune to this, three crucial members of their roster were standout selections taken early in their respective drafts:
- Aleksander Barkov (No. 2 overall in 2013)
- Aaron Ekblad (No. 1 overall 2014)
- Anton Lundell (No. 12 overall in 2020)
Barkov serves as the team`s central driving force and recently earned his third Selke Trophy. Ekblad is a vital component of the Panthers` formidable defense. Lundell is an exceptional third-line center, a player who would likely occupy a higher position on the depth chart for most other NHL clubs.
While these three players are crucial, the Panthers have truly distinguished themselves by identifying and acquiring undervalued talent from across the league. Any teams critical of Florida`s supposed tax advantages should perhaps first reconsider trading impactful players to the Panthers at favorable terms.
Carter Verhaeghe, the Panthers` leading scorer last postseason, was signed to a two-year, $2 million contract in 2020 after being released by the Tampa Bay Lightning as a restricted free agent.
How many teams were lining up to offer Gustav Forsling, now recognized as one of the NHL`s top shutdown defensemen, a fair market deal before Florida acquired him off waivers before the 2020-21 season? The answer is none. The idea that state tax advantages were the decisive factor in acquiring him is simply false; he was a waiver claim.
Eetu Luostarinen, a key player on Florida`s effective third line, was acquired as part of the return in the 2020 Vincent Trocheck trade. Before that transaction, Luostarinen had minimal NHL experience, playing just eight games with one assist.
Even Sam Bennett, expected to sign a lucrative new contract soon, was obtained for a second-round pick and the rights to Emil Heineman. This was a modest price for a player who has become fundamental to the team`s success in Sunrise.
While many players were acquired below market value, Zito`s pursuit of high-profile talent has also paid off handsomely. The acquisitions of Sam Reinhart in 2021 and Matthew Tkachuk in 2022 were particularly transformative for the Panthers franchise.
Reinhart`s trade cost a first-round pick and goalie prospect Devon Levi. While a reasonable return for the Buffalo Sabres at the time, they likely regret the deal now, especially considering only Auston Matthews has scored more goals than Reinhart since the beginning of the 2023-24 season.
Tkachuk proved to be the final crucial addition for Florida. Though it seems obvious in retrospect, Zito took a significant risk in that trade, sending away Johnathan Huberdeau right after a 115-point season, along with top defenseman Mackenzie Weegar and a first-round pick.
The claim that teams like Florida, Tampa, Dallas, and Vegas gain a significant edge from operating in states without income tax is exaggerated. This wasn`t a prominent discussion point 15 years ago when these teams were far less successful.
While every market offers unique benefits, the Panthers are succeeding purely through effective management and play. Consequently, hockey is gaining traction in new regions across the United States.
Expanding the Sport`s Reach
For the NHL to expand its influence and revenue, franchises in non-traditional hockey areas must succeed not only through on-ice victories but also by leveraging that success to foster local, grassroots engagement.
According to John Colombo, the Panthers` vice president of community relations, this is precisely what the team has been working towards for the past decade. When asked about the core strategies for expanding hockey in South Florida, Colombo provided a seemingly straightforward response.
“Getting sticks into kids` hands,” he stated.
In Florida`s climate, many sports are played year-round, posing a challenge for hockey to establish a strong presence in the market.
“In South Florida, you can play any sport year-round,” Colombo explained. “Our challenge is figuring out how to compete with sports like soccer, which only requires an open field and a ball, or baseball and football, which are also 12-month activities. How do you effectively compete with all these options?”
One strategy the Panthers employ is offering various hockey programs to young fans at minimal or no cost.
The team`s `Learn to Play` initiative allows children aged 5-9 to experience hockey through a six-week session, providing them with equipment they can keep afterwards. This program saw participation rise by 12.25% in the past year.
The Panthers Floorball Program is active in 560 local schools, supplying free equipment and a curriculum for physical education teachers. Additionally, the team is developing a ball hockey program, offering young fans multiple ways to try the sport without needing access to ice.
Furthermore, the Panthers have created a `Girls Only` youth program, giving girls the option to learn hockey in a single-gender setting if preferred. These teams are comprised solely of girls and are coached exclusively by women.
These programs have proven effective, contributing to a remarkable surge in overall youth hockey participation. Statistics from USA Hockey highlight this growth:
- From 2022-23 to 2023-24, youth hockey participation in Florida grew by 8.4%, the biggest increase for any state.
- Youth female participation spiked by 9.4%, also one of the highest marks in the country.
- On the whole, youth hockey participation is up a whopping 73% in Florida since 2012-13.
These participation figures are expected to continue rising if the Panthers maintain their current level of success. Combined with grassroots initiatives led by teams such as Florida, the interest in hockey is poised for continued expansion.
“When we arrived here about ten years ago,” Colombo recalled, “you often encountered kids who played hockey, but it wasn`t necessarily something they displayed with pride. We aimed to cultivate a culture where young people would be proud to support the Panthers. While on-ice performance certainly helps increase visibility, I believe sustaining our grassroots efforts is essential. Ultimately, our goal is for these kids to grow up as dedicated Panther fans.”
Long-Term Benefits for the NHL
Those concerned about potential TV ratings for a third consecutive Stanley Cup Final featuring the Panthers – and the sixth straight with a team from Florida – are missing the broader picture.
For the NHL to advance its standing among major North American sports leagues, it must successfully expand its presence beyond its established, traditional markets. While an Original Six matchup in the Stanley Cup Final might boost current TV and streaming figures, it does little to attract new fans outside existing hockey strongholds.
The Panthers have assembled an exciting team featuring genuine star talent, and the local community is increasingly supportive of both the team and hockey in general. This success offers the league encouragement that it can effectively extend its reach into less traditional hockey areas going forward.
